Town Meeting will vote on library, CPA tax relief and use of solar farm revenues

Thursday

Jan 31, 2013 at 2:09 PM

By Peggy Aulisio

By Peggy Aulisio

Editor

ACUSHNET — The proposed new library/community center is the main reason for the special Town Meeting Feb. 11, but voters will also decide on two unusual articles involving taxes.

The library/community center warrant article calls for about $6 million in spending, but a state grant will pay for half the cost; also, private donations totaling $260,000 have been raised.

One of the tax articles provides exemptions from the 1.5 percent Community Preservation Act tax for people who qualify for low-income housing or moderate-income senior housing in Acushnet. Also, $100,000 of the value of each taxable parcel of qualifying commercial or industrial properties would be exempt from the tax.

Another article will allow revenues from solar farms to be allocated to a capital expenditure fund. The tax revenues could be used to pay off capital debt like bond borrowings for the new police station or library. It would take effect on July 1, 2014.

The town would have to petition the General Court for special legislation if this article is passed. Selectmen are also using the special Town Meeting to get approval for union agreements that allow 1.5 percent raises annually over three years.